Sam Fuld

Fuld struggled mightily at the plate in 2015, hitting only .197 with a .620 OPS over 290 at-bats, his second year in the past three where he batted under .200. After Coco Crisp was moved to left field...

The A's dealt for Fuld at the non-waiver trade deadline in order to bolster their outfield depth. Due to injuries (and the trade of Yoenis Cespedes), Fuld ending up playing almost every day, putting up a paltry .209/.275/.332 line in 187 at-bats with the squad. Fuld managed to steal 19 bases combined with the A's and Twins, but with a low batting average and almost no pop, his value is mostly in his exceptional outfield defense, which does not help fantasy players in a traditional setting. With Jonny Gomes' departure in free agency, there should be at-bats available for Fuld in left field, and he may also find a path to playing time in center field if Coco Crisp continues to have a difficult time staying healthy.

2014

Fuld had a minor role with the Rays in 2013, but played in a career-high 119 games, though he only had 200 plate appearances. He did not take advantage of those opportunities, hitting just .199 with a .537 OPS, but his value is more significant in the field. He is used most often as a defensive replacement capable of playing all three outfield spots, and is a speedy base runner who can stretch an extra base. With a crowd in the outfield for the Rays, Fuld was non-tendered in December.

2013

Fuld's season debut was delayed by wrist surgery to repair the sheath around the wrist. He played his first game near the end of July and contributed well as the Rays' fourth outfielder. Fuld was hitting over .300 at the beginning of September before a cold streak to finish the season, during which he was hampered by a hamstring injury, led to him finishing with a .255/.318/.327 line over 44 games. He is a strong defensive outfielder capable of playing all three outfield spots, and with the departure of B.J. Upton via free agency, Fuld could find more playing time and limited starting opportunities.

2012

Fuld was one of the better "feel-good" stories in baseball after he burst onto the scene with stolen bases and acrobatic catches. Unfortunately, Fuld was not able to maintain consistent production at the plate and was relegated to being the fourth outfielder. He ended up batting .240 for the season and chipped in 20 stolen bases, making him a viable fantasy option at times. With the Rays outfield likely set with Desmond Jennings, B.J. Upton and Matt Joyce, Fuld will likely reprise his role as a pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement. Keep an eye on the Rays' outfield as he could be a decent source of steals should he find regular playing time as a result of injury or lack of production from a starter.

2011

Fuld is a good defensive center fielder with an excellent batting eye, passable base-running skills and little power. At 29, he's not a prospect, but could make the Rays' roster as a reserve option capable of playing all three outfield spots after being acquired as part of the Matt Garza deal with the Cubs in January.

2010

While Fuld didn't do anything special at Triple-A Iowa last year, he was very solid in his late-season callup with the Cubs, playing good defense in center and showing tremendous plate discipline in 97 at-bats. Fuld is a good contact hitter, will draw walks and can steal a base, but he has very little power and at 28 is no longer a prospect. He'll battle in spring training for the center-field job (though the Cubs are likely to bring in a starter via free agency), but is probably best suited to a fourth outfielder role.

2009

Fuld was nominally in the running for the center field job in spring training last year, but it's likely the Cubs were just trying to motivate prospect Felix Pie (unsuccessfully). The 26-year-old Fuld isn't much of a prospect, barely holding his own at Double-A a year ago.

2008

After showing good on-base skills in the high minors last year, Fuld tore up the Arizona Fall League, putting up a .402/.492/.626 line with 10 steals in 88 at-bats. As a result, the 26-year-old Fuld is in the mix for the team's center field job. With Jacque Jones going to Detroit, Felix Pie still needing to prove himself and Angel Pagan being traded to the Mets, center field is Fuld's job for the taking. Still, it's hard to imagine the Cubs not making more moves if Pie has a poor spring.